1
00:00:06,880 --> 00:00:09,975
There are countless factors
that can lead to your death.
2
00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:11,375
As senior coroner,
3
00:00:11,400 --> 00:00:14,935
I deal with nearly 4,500
fatalities a year.
4
00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:20,775
LESLEY SHARP: The coroner
can make any inquiries necessary
5
00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:22,215
to find a cause of death.
6
00:00:22,240 --> 00:00:24,615
The police act
on behalf of the coroner.
7
00:00:24,640 --> 00:00:27,015
If the coroner asks, then we do it.
8
00:00:27,040 --> 00:00:28,895
We need to be alert
to the fact that there could be
9
00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:30,615
something more sinister in this.
10
00:00:30,640 --> 00:00:33,015
With unprecedented access,
11
00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:35,775
we follow the coroner's
full investigation.
12
00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:38,775
It does make you realise
how fragile life is.
13
00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:41,175
Let's start
and just work our way up.
14
00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:43,775
Forensic medicine is all about
being very suspicious.
15
00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:46,495
From the moment
of arrival in the mortuary
16
00:00:46,520 --> 00:00:49,975
to the final conclusion
of the inquest.
17
00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:51,095
All rise.
18
00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:54,455
I'm sorry that you're attending
court under these circumstances,
19
00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:56,015
and I appreciate that the evidence
20
00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:58,055
that you will hear today
may be distressing.
21
00:00:58,080 --> 00:01:01,575
I never thought I'd ever find
myself in a coroner's court.
22
00:01:01,600 --> 00:01:03,975
Shouldn't have to organise
a funeral for your children.
23
00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:07,975
If you die here,
if it's violent, unnatural,
24
00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:11,575
or of an unknown cause,
it's my job to find out how.
25
00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:29,735
I saw a police van
outside the house,
26
00:01:29,760 --> 00:01:32,175
and I just assumed
it was one of the neighbours.
27
00:01:32,200 --> 00:01:33,775
Ancl it was only
when I came up the path
28
00:01:33,800 --> 00:01:36,775
I saw the police person
sat in my house,
29
00:01:36,800 --> 00:01:38,815
and my heart sank.
30
00:01:38,840 --> 00:01:40,255
I just knew...
31
00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:46,415
I just knew
what they were gonna say.
32
00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:48,055
SH E EXHALES
33
00:01:48,080 --> 00:01:51,535
Ancl I sat down, and she just said,
"We've come about Sarah."
34
00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:55,015
SHE SOBS
35
00:01:58,520 --> 00:02:00,015
LINE RINGING
36
00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:27,055
We've received a referral
from Lancashire Police
37
00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:30,855
in relation to a 39-year-old
female called Sarah Kelly.
38
00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:36,015
Sarah was a resident in temporary
accommodation in Blackburn.
39
00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:37,335
At the time of her death,
40
00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:39,055
she'd only been there
for a couple of days.
41
00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:40,655
MACHINE WHIRRING
42
00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:45,855
I understand
she'd been doing some karaoke
43
00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:48,215
with some of the other residents.
44
00:03:48,240 --> 00:03:50,095
A little bit later on in the day,
45
00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:52,375
Sarah's mentioned
to the security guard
46
00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:54,135
that she was gonna have a bath.
47
00:03:58,920 --> 00:04:02,055
Now, the following morning,
one of the maintenance staff
48
00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:05,215
described the room
as being full of steam.
49
00:04:05,240 --> 00:04:09,455
And sadly, they discovered
Sarah's body unresponsive.
50
00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:23,095
So, I've spoken to next of kin,
which is Sarah's mum.
51
00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:26,735
I've explained to her that
I will be asking the coroner
52
00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:30,495
to authorise a CT scan postmortem.
53
00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:32,855
But also,
we'll ask the coroner to authorise
54
00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:37,095
for some blood samples to be taken
for toxicology analysis as well.
55
00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:43,255
There's a number of possibilities,
56
00:04:43,280 --> 00:04:45,855
and we need to understand
exactly what it was
57
00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:48,255
that caused this to happen.
58
00:04:55,920 --> 00:04:58,975
Because she was in the bath
with hot water,
59
00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:00,935
there's been quite a bit
of deterioration
60
00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:03,295
in the condition of the body.
61
00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:07,735
Obviously, the heat will rapidly
cause those decompositional changes.
62
00:05:09,160 --> 00:05:12,415
The maintenance operative
that finds her the morning after,
63
00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:15,415
finds her around eight o'clock
in the morning.
64
00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:20,535
So that suggests that Sarah had
been in the bathroom for 13 hours.
65
00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:24,455
Obviously, unfortunately,
we can't pinpoint
66
00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:26,455
the exact time of her death.
67
00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:30,775
But it gives some indication
of how long she'd been there.
68
00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:37,615
The day before Sarah passed away,
69
00:05:37,640 --> 00:05:40,615
there's a comment
from one of the staff.
70
00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:44,935
Sarah had been out and returned home
with a male friend.
71
00:05:44,960 --> 00:05:49,335
Sarah had, apparently quite loudly,
72
00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:53,815
commented and said, "Why do men
think it's OK to hit women?"
73
00:05:53,840 --> 00:05:56,775
So, the staff member
has spoken to her and explained
74
00:05:56,800 --> 00:05:59,975
that it's never OK
for anybody to hit anybody.
75
00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:04,375
And from what I can understand,
the gentleman that Sarah was with
76
00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:06,375
has whispered something to her.
77
00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:09,255
So, I suppose it's a bit strange.
78
00:06:09,280 --> 00:06:11,535
It raises some questions.
79
00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:22,455
just doesn't seem... real.
80
00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:26,255
Doesn't seem possible
that she could just
81
00:06:26,280 --> 00:06:29,975
get in the bath,
then not get back out of it
82
00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:32,455
and carry on living her life.
83
00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:34,735
She was only 39.
84
00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:37,095
But to go just suddenly,
85
00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:40,695
and like that,
it's just mind-boggling.
86
00:06:51,840 --> 00:06:54,615
NARRATOR: At Royal Blackburn
Hospital,
87
00:06:54,640 --> 00:06:58,375
coroner's officers have been
investigating the sudden
88
00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:01,295
and unexpected death of Sarah Kelly.
89
00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:04,095
Sarah Kelly is a 39-year-old lady,
90
00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:08,415
and she's staying for a couple
of clays in temporary accommodation.
91
00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:10,215
She has gone to a karaoke evening,
92
00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:13,255
she has then gone back to her room
with some food
93
00:07:13,280 --> 00:07:15,455
and said that
she's going to take a bath.
94
00:07:17,120 --> 00:07:19,375
She is then found
the following morning
95
00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:22,175
in a bath of scalding hot water,
96
00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:24,575
and we don't know why she's cited.
97
00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:30,135
Witness statements from Sarah's case
98
00:07:30,160 --> 00:07:32,935
have been taken
and provided to the coroner.
99
00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:37,495
LINE RINGING
100
00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:40,655
Good afternoon, coroner's office,
Chloe speaking.
101
00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:42,615
Hello, Chloe, it's James Adeley.
102
00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:45,135
'I've just been looking
through Sarah Kelly's file.'
103
00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:49,695
There's a number of comments
in there about men hitting women,
104
00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:53,695
and I would be grateful
if we could just ask the police
105
00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:55,055
to have a look at the case
106
00:07:55,080 --> 00:07:58,015
and see whether or not there is
any third-party involvement.
107
00:07:58,040 --> 00:08:00,415
Yeah, of course.
I'll get in touch with them today.
108
00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:11,895
Before any medical examinations
can be authorised by the coroner,
109
00:08:11,920 --> 00:08:14,455
third-party involvement
in Sarah's death
110
00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:17,855
must be investigated by the police.
111
00:08:17,880 --> 00:08:20,895
So, I was made aware
of an incident in Blackburn
112
00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:22,815
where there was a female
113
00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:26,015
who had been discovered deceased
in the bath.
114
00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:30,735
As I arrive on scene, I enter
the landing where the bathroom is.
115
00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:32,575
Ancl on that landing,
I can immediately see
116
00:08:32,600 --> 00:08:34,855
that there's a CCTV camera.
117
00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:36,455
There are several bedrooms,
118
00:08:36,480 --> 00:08:40,455
and people are still free
to come and go from their bedrooms.
119
00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:42,335
So, instantly,
what you're looking at is
120
00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:45,655
locking down that bathroom
so that nobody else goes in.
121
00:08:45,680 --> 00:08:47,295
Preserve their dignity.
122
00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:49,575
If there is to be
a crime established,
123
00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:50,895
don't compromise any scene.
124
00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:57,295
There was no other place
you could go from that bathroom,
125
00:08:57,320 --> 00:09:00,095
no other way in, no other way out.
126
00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:03,375
This is the window that opens out
to about four inches
127
00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:05,735
and then it shuts on a safety catch,
128
00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:08,135
so it's not possible
for a grown person to get through.
129
00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:11,615
Ancl that had to be a consideration
130
00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:14,055
because this is
a ground floor bathroom.
131
00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:18,615
So, I want to see
when Sarah entered that bathroom.
132
00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:20,375
Did she enter it alone?
133
00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:21,775
Did she ever come out?
134
00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:23,535
Did anybody else ever go in
135
00:09:23,560 --> 00:09:26,135
prior to her being discovered
the next morning?
136
00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:29,615
Because it's hours and hours,
137
00:09:29,640 --> 00:09:32,015
we've got to watch it
to be sure that nobody's gone in.
138
00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:51,575
Our Sarah was always the funny one.
139
00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:54,295
She'd find the funniness
in any situation.
140
00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:57,895
Even when it was inappropriate,
she'd laugh.
141
00:09:59,040 --> 00:10:01,815
just full of life and full of fun,
142
00:10:01,840 --> 00:10:06,455
that was the healthy, happy Sarah
that we knew and loved, really.
143
00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:10,655
She liked mother-henning people.
144
00:10:10,680 --> 00:10:12,975
I think that's why she ended up
liking the care sector
145
00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:14,575
kind of in her job.
146
00:10:14,600 --> 00:10:16,255
Making sure that people
were all right
147
00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:18,215
and doing the best for people.
148
00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:20,575
Ancl people saw that's what she did.
149
00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:30,375
She was one of twins.
150
00:10:31,800 --> 00:10:33,735
Kind of a leader in some ways,
151
00:10:33,760 --> 00:10:35,255
in the naughtiness.
152
00:10:35,280 --> 00:10:37,455
They'd pretend to be each other
all the time.
153
00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:42,015
People would see Leanne
and think it was Sarah.
154
00:10:42,040 --> 00:10:44,375
They had the same form tutor
right through high school
155
00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:46,055
and he never knew
which one was which,
156
00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:48,015
he couldn't tell the difference
between them.
157
00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:50,015
Even though they were
totally different people
158
00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:52,375
with totally different
personalities.
159
00:10:52,400 --> 00:10:55,455
That's the... that's the strange bit
cos I've lost a daughter,
160
00:10:55,480 --> 00:10:59,695
but she's lost a twin
who she spent all her life with.
161
00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:06,975
It's her life, isn't it,
that's just...
162
00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:10,495
...that's just gone.
163
00:11:10,520 --> 00:11:11,615
SH E EXHALES
164
00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:16,615
So it's important to find out
exactly what's happened.
165
00:11:40,920 --> 00:11:42,895
In the early hours of the morning,
166
00:11:42,920 --> 00:11:46,415
police have been called to gain
access to a property in Burnley.
167
00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:53,535
A man has been found deceased
inside.
168
00:11:53,560 --> 00:11:55,815
He has been transported
to the mortuary
169
00:11:55,840 --> 00:11:57,375
at Royal Blackburn Hospital.
170
00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:01,935
We've had a referral
from Lancashire Police.
171
00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:05,335
They've attended a death,
unfortunately, in Burnley.
172
00:12:05,360 --> 00:12:07,815
And from what's been reported,
173
00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:11,175
a neighbour of this gentleman
174
00:12:11,200 --> 00:12:14,895
has contacted Lancashire Police
with concerns for his safety.
175
00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:17,575
They haven't seen him
for around two to three weeks.
176
00:12:17,600 --> 00:12:20,335
They've also reported
that they've seen sort of some flies
177
00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:21,615
on his windows.
178
00:12:21,640 --> 00:12:25,295
So, the police officers have
attended, forced entry to the flat,
179
00:12:25,320 --> 00:12:28,415
and sadly, found him deceased
in the living room.
180
00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:32,415
It does appear that he probably
has been there for some time,
181
00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:35,375
and the process
of decomposition has started.
182
00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:52,255
We don't actually have
any details of any next of kin
183
00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:53,775
at the moment either.
184
00:12:53,800 --> 00:12:56,055
And we will need to do
some further inquiries
185
00:12:56,080 --> 00:12:58,575
into formal identification for him.
186
00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:10,255
So, the coroner's authorised
a CT scan postmortem,
187
00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:13,495
which will take place
at Royal Preston Hospital.
188
00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:18,575
But first, an external examination
must take place.
189
00:13:19,960 --> 00:13:23,215
I understand from the information
we'd received from the coroner
190
00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:26,695
that he's gonna be in quite
a poor state of decomposition.
191
00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:30,135
Ancl that's clearly the case.
192
00:13:30,160 --> 00:13:33,255
The skin's dried out
and become quite leathery.
193
00:13:33,280 --> 00:13:36,935
Ancl so that gives him
a sort of mummified appearance.
194
00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:40,015
Cut the clothing away.
195
00:13:52,680 --> 00:13:54,335
There are a number
of aspects in this job
196
00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:56,415
that people can find unpleasant.
197
00:13:56,440 --> 00:13:58,775
Sometimes, the physical side
of things, what people...
198
00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:00,455
you see and you smell
during the job.
199
00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:02,415
Ancl also, sometimes,
in certain cases,
200
00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:04,175
the emotional element to it as well.
201
00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:05,495
The physical side of things
202
00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:07,775
is something that have never
bothered me very much.
203
00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:09,135
It's sometimes the background,
204
00:14:09,160 --> 00:14:11,615
the stories, sometimes,
that can have an emotional impact,
205
00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:14,375
which is more...
has more an effect on me.
206
00:14:16,440 --> 00:14:19,175
There's nothing here to indicate
what might have happened to him,
207
00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:21,535
so at the moment,
his cause of death is unknown.
208
00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:22,815
So, what I'll do now is
209
00:14:22,840 --> 00:14:25,255
I'll get him ready to send
to Preston for his CT scan.
210
00:14:25,280 --> 00:14:27,895
That's important
because they can look inside
211
00:14:27,920 --> 00:14:30,335
and see all the things
that I can't see on the outside,
212
00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:32,535
and then hopefully
will establish a cause of death.
213
00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:45,255
Hello? Hi, it is him.
214
00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:51,535
A private ambulance has arrived
to transport the man
215
00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:56,015
to Royal Preston Hospital
for his postmortem CT scan.
216
00:14:57,240 --> 00:14:58,775
OK, thank you very much.
OK, thank you.
217
00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:00,535
I will be seeing you later.
218
00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:03,495
They make this journey
multiple times a day.
219
00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:11,655
There's not many people
do what we do.
220
00:15:13,160 --> 00:15:15,615
We specialise in just doing this,
221
00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:18,855
to move people between the various
different hospitals
222
00:15:18,880 --> 00:15:21,255
on a daily basis.
223
00:15:21,280 --> 00:15:23,615
Ancl there's a lot
of job satisfaction
224
00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:25,415
in knowing that
you've helped someone.
225
00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:30,055
Ancl the fact that they were treated
with dignity and respect.
226
00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:33,815
We use unmarked vehicles
227
00:15:33,840 --> 00:15:36,735
and we operate
out of the public eye
228
00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:42,135
because in general day-to-day life,
as you're travelling,
229
00:15:42,160 --> 00:15:45,815
people don't want to be reminded
of their own mortality.
230
00:16:02,040 --> 00:16:05,535
The coroner and the police
are working on the investigation
231
00:16:05,560 --> 00:16:09,535
into the death
of 39-year-old Sarah Kelly.
232
00:16:09,560 --> 00:16:13,215
Sarah returns to the hostel in
the early evening, and she's upset.
233
00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:16,615
She's making comments
that men should not hit women.
234
00:16:16,640 --> 00:16:18,975
With this,
we need the police to investigate
235
00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:20,855
whether she has been
the victim of assault,
236
00:16:20,880 --> 00:16:22,615
whether there is third party,
237
00:16:22,640 --> 00:16:25,255
whether this might have caused her
to lose consciousness.
238
00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:27,935
Those are the types of questions
we're looking at.
239
00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:34,295
This is the doorway to the landing.
240
00:16:34,320 --> 00:16:36,895
So, once you get through here
with your key fob,
241
00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:41,295
Sarah's bedroom is room number one,
and that is directly here.
242
00:16:41,320 --> 00:16:43,575
Ancl then this is
the communal bathroom
243
00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:45,935
and this where Sarah was discovered.
244
00:16:45,960 --> 00:16:48,535
On this landing,
you've got six bedrooms,
245
00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:51,615
so there's another five residents
potentially on this landing.
246
00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:55,615
Between the time of her going in,
247
00:16:55,640 --> 00:16:58,815
nobody else has entered that
bathroom till she was discovered.
248
00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:01,815
I'm as content as I can be
249
00:17:01,840 --> 00:17:05,815
that there is no evidence
of any third-party involvement,
250
00:17:05,840 --> 00:17:10,055
there's no evidence of any foul play
for the death of Sarah Kelly.
251
00:17:15,560 --> 00:17:18,295
With the police having ruled out
any third-party involvement
252
00:17:18,320 --> 00:17:22,175
or recent assault
connected to Sarah's case,
253
00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:26,015
the coroner must try and establish
a cause of death.
254
00:17:26,040 --> 00:17:29,015
There's nothing obvious
that stands out.
255
00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:31,455
So it's just a case
of taking a careful look
256
00:17:31,480 --> 00:17:34,095
and making sure
you're not missing anything.
257
00:17:34,120 --> 00:17:37,015
As well as an external examination,
258
00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:40,215
Dr Adeley has ordered
toxicology to be taken
259
00:17:40,240 --> 00:17:41,855
to be sent for testing.
260
00:17:41,880 --> 00:17:44,775
One of the challenges
getting samples for toxicology
261
00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:47,135
from a body that's started
to deteriorate is the fluids
262
00:17:47,160 --> 00:17:50,015
that you want to collect -
the blood and vitreous and so on
263
00:17:50,040 --> 00:17:52,335
can start to break down
or be difficult to obtain.
264
00:17:52,360 --> 00:17:54,015
But we'll see what we can get.
265
00:17:56,440 --> 00:17:59,015
So, we have managed
to get a sample of blood.
266
00:17:59,040 --> 00:18:02,615
It's not a very large sample
and it's not the best quality.
267
00:18:02,640 --> 00:18:06,535
We've not been able to get samples
of vitreous or urine -
268
00:18:06,560 --> 00:18:08,935
toxicology, obviously,
the better-quality samples
269
00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:10,935
and the larger sample of blood
270
00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:15,335
allows them to run a larger number
of tests and get better results.
271
00:18:15,360 --> 00:18:18,455
But, hopefully, they'll be able
to use the sample we've got.
272
00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:32,975
With the toxicology samples taken,
273
00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:35,335
Sarah's postmortem CT scan
274
00:18:35,360 --> 00:18:37,855
will take place
at Royal Preston Hospital.
275
00:18:39,120 --> 00:18:42,295
Because Sarah Kelly
is found lying in the bath,
276
00:18:42,320 --> 00:18:45,175
it's quite likely
that she had got in the bath
277
00:18:45,200 --> 00:18:47,575
when the water was not scolding hot.
278
00:18:47,600 --> 00:18:49,935
When she was found,
the water was still flowing,
279
00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:52,295
and so the temperature in the bath
280
00:18:52,320 --> 00:18:55,615
has increased gradually
through the period of the night.
281
00:18:55,640 --> 00:18:58,495
Ancl this may well affect
the findings on scan.
282
00:19:08,720 --> 00:19:11,295
She was always a party goer,
283
00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:14,175
liked going out,
having a drink, being social.
284
00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:20,895
I think the time where the
alarm bells were starting ringing
285
00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:22,055
were COVID.
286
00:19:22,080 --> 00:19:25,255
I'm not blaming COVID for anything,
but I think it had an impact.
287
00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:28,335
And I think it was the isolation
288
00:19:28,360 --> 00:19:30,935
that's kind of tipped the scales,
if you will.
289
00:19:30,960 --> 00:19:33,895
And then it was easier to drink,
there was more time in the day,
290
00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:36,735
it filled up some of the gaps.
291
00:19:36,760 --> 00:19:38,655
She wasn't herself.
292
00:19:38,680 --> 00:19:43,015
She wasn't the happy-go-lucky self
that she was.
293
00:19:43,040 --> 00:19:46,095
She was much more withdrawn,
294
00:19:46,120 --> 00:19:48,815
personality kind of shifted.
295
00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:54,495
It's not long at all, is it,
to go downhill so fast?
296
00:19:54,520 --> 00:19:56,855
It just seems impossible.
297
00:19:58,160 --> 00:19:59,615
You look back and you think,
298
00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:01,975
"Well, could I have
done anything differently?"
299
00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:04,255
Tried the softly-softly approach,
you know,
300
00:20:04,280 --> 00:20:05,535
"You really need some help."
301
00:20:05,560 --> 00:20:07,895
We'd done the screaming
and ranting and shouting.
302
00:20:07,920 --> 00:20:10,815
And different family members
have done the same.
303
00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:15,575
And then she was pregnant,
304
00:20:15,600 --> 00:20:17,855
and obviously,
nobody could go with her
305
00:20:17,880 --> 00:20:20,055
to all the appointments and things.
306
00:20:22,160 --> 00:20:24,655
I'd spoke to her
and asked her to go to the doctors
307
00:20:24,680 --> 00:20:26,375
and see whether
there was some depression
308
00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:29,135
after having the little one.
309
00:20:29,160 --> 00:20:32,575
In that moment, "Yeah, yeah, I'll
get help, yeah, I'll be all right."
310
00:20:32,600 --> 00:20:36,815
But then somehow couldn't find
the strength to follow that through.
311
00:20:44,120 --> 00:20:49,775
Sarah's postmortem CT scan must
now be reviewed by a radiologist.
312
00:20:49,800 --> 00:20:53,095
Submerged in a bath
containing very hot water.
313
00:20:54,360 --> 00:20:57,855
So hot that they couldn't
even take the plug out.
314
00:20:57,880 --> 00:21:01,575
We can see some fluid
in the lower airways,
315
00:21:01,600 --> 00:21:05,375
in the trachea and the main bronchi.
316
00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:07,855
That can be seen
in cases of drowning.
317
00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:11,815
It's not specific,
but it's something to take note of.
318
00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:16,375
Sometimes, in cases of drowning,
we will see fluid levels
319
00:21:16,400 --> 00:21:19,855
and a fluid dissension
of the stomach and the bowel,
320
00:21:19,880 --> 00:21:22,135
with patients having swallowed
a lot of fluid
321
00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:24,495
into the gastrointestinal tract.
322
00:21:24,520 --> 00:21:27,215
That's not present in the case.
323
00:21:27,240 --> 00:21:30,495
So, that's a relevant negative
finding in terms of drowning.
324
00:21:30,520 --> 00:21:32,615
But again, it's not specific.
325
00:21:32,640 --> 00:21:35,935
I think, for various reasons,
the age of the patient,
326
00:21:35,960 --> 00:21:39,055
there being no obvious
underlying radiological abnormality,
327
00:21:39,080 --> 00:21:42,175
this is a difficult one to say,
based on the radiology,
328
00:21:42,200 --> 00:21:44,695
with any degree of certainty
329
00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:47,375
to be able give a cause of death,
unfortunately.
330
00:21:47,400 --> 00:21:50,015
So, I think the plan of action here,
331
00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:53,735
I would suggest,
is for a conventional postmortem.
332
00:22:03,960 --> 00:22:06,695
It's not much different to when
we got her ready for the external.
333
00:22:06,720 --> 00:22:10,655
Now, if you go and look at the...
the photograph from then.
334
00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:12,535
LESLEY SHARP:
At Royal Blackburn Hospital,
335
00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:16,335
the investigation
into Sarah Kelly's death continues.
336
00:22:16,360 --> 00:22:19,815
An invasive postmortem
has been ordered by the coroner.
337
00:22:19,840 --> 00:22:22,855
Sarah Kelly is a 39-year-old lady
338
00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:26,895
who has been found deceased
in a bath in a hostel.
339
00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:29,695
The difficulty here is
that the radiologist says
340
00:22:29,720 --> 00:22:32,055
that he can see some congestion,
341
00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:34,455
some fluid in her lungs.
342
00:22:34,480 --> 00:22:37,535
But he doesn't know whether
this is consistent with drowning,
343
00:22:37,560 --> 00:22:41,095
and we don't know, because
the toxicology's not back yet,
344
00:22:41,120 --> 00:22:44,295
as to whether she has slipped
under the bath water
345
00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:46,055
because she's intoxicated
346
00:22:46,080 --> 00:22:49,415
or because she has
had some natural event.
347
00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:53,815
So, consequently, we definitely need
to order an invasive postmortem.
348
00:22:53,840 --> 00:22:56,455
Rigor mortis not present,
nourishment average,
349
00:22:56,480 --> 00:23:00,775
in brackets, weight 46kg,
height 152cm full stop.
350
00:23:02,360 --> 00:23:05,855
We need to have a very close look
at the heart
351
00:23:05,880 --> 00:23:09,055
so if we do think she's got
an underlying cardiac condition
352
00:23:09,080 --> 00:23:12,735
that has caused her
to have this episode in the bath,
353
00:23:12,760 --> 00:23:14,175
then we need to know about that.
354
00:23:14,200 --> 00:23:19,295
There's wrinkling to the skin
of the fingers and toes,
355
00:23:19,320 --> 00:23:23,175
indicative of immersion in water,
full stop.
356
00:23:24,320 --> 00:23:26,215
We'll just have to see how it goes.
357
00:23:26,240 --> 00:23:28,655
Whatever we deal with
will depend on what we find.
358
00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:31,175
We need to keep an open mind
on this.
359
00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:48,175
Here we are. Yeah.
360
00:23:48,200 --> 00:23:50,535
This part of her memory box.
361
00:23:51,800 --> 00:23:54,335
Remember playing with this
when you were little? Yeah.
362
00:23:54,360 --> 00:23:56,695
I've not seen that for years.
Yeah.
363
00:23:56,720 --> 00:23:58,335
SHE CHUCKLES
364
00:23:58,360 --> 00:24:00,815
Ancl there's all the bits and pieces.
365
00:24:00,840 --> 00:24:03,375
Lipsticks. Bright red.
366
00:24:03,400 --> 00:24:04,815
Yeah, that was Sarah.
367
00:24:04,840 --> 00:24:08,095
Yeah, slap it on, girl.
Bright red lippy.
368
00:24:08,120 --> 00:24:10,695
Kept a diary, her last diary.
369
00:24:12,040 --> 00:24:14,415
Yeah.
It's nice to see her handwriting.
370
00:24:20,120 --> 00:24:24,415
I was six when Sarah was born,
so my mum had her hands full.
371
00:24:24,440 --> 00:24:26,695
But, yeah, I think we did all right.
372
00:24:26,720 --> 00:24:27,895
SHE CHUCKLES
373
00:24:27,920 --> 00:24:30,535
Ancl we was always close growing up.
374
00:24:30,560 --> 00:24:32,935
It was always Sarah
that I could count on.
375
00:24:32,960 --> 00:24:36,735
If I needed anything,
Sarah would be there, always.
376
00:24:38,360 --> 00:24:41,935
Sarah's clad was an alcoholic.
377
00:24:41,960 --> 00:24:45,775
He had his home brew,
so he drank every night.
378
00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:47,295
So I grew up with that.
379
00:24:48,840 --> 00:24:53,335
When Sarah's clad died,
she was 12 and I was 18.
380
00:24:55,320 --> 00:24:56,935
I know she had Leanne,
381
00:24:56,960 --> 00:24:59,295
and I think the two of them together
382
00:24:59,320 --> 00:25:02,135
did get each other through
a lot of things.
383
00:25:02,160 --> 00:25:05,735
But I think it was difficult
for their age.
384
00:25:05,760 --> 00:25:08,335
I know in later years,
it did affect them.
385
00:25:11,160 --> 00:25:14,735
I wasn't expecting to hear
that Sarah...
386
00:25:14,760 --> 00:25:17,295
was that bad with her drink.
387
00:25:17,320 --> 00:25:19,655
If my mum couldn't
get through to Sarah,
388
00:25:19,680 --> 00:25:22,135
then I don't think
anybody would have
389
00:25:22,160 --> 00:25:24,655
because you would have thought
she'd have listened to my mum.
390
00:25:26,440 --> 00:25:29,815
There must be something
causes so much hurt and pain,
391
00:25:29,840 --> 00:25:33,495
that the only way
she could cope with was to drink.
392
00:25:36,320 --> 00:25:39,295
just think, that's all that's left.
393
00:25:39,320 --> 00:25:40,615
SHE SNIFFS
394
00:25:43,160 --> 00:25:45,895
Yeah.
It doesn't seem right, does it?
395
00:26:15,960 --> 00:26:18,575
A postmortem CT scan
has been ordered
396
00:26:18,600 --> 00:26:21,815
for the man who was found
badly decomposed in his house.
397
00:26:21,840 --> 00:26:26,055
Coroner's officers continue
to search for a next of kin.
398
00:26:27,120 --> 00:26:29,615
In our modern societies,
399
00:26:29,640 --> 00:26:32,535
particularly in larger
population centres,
400
00:26:32,560 --> 00:26:36,255
you can vanish
through the cracks in society.
401
00:26:36,280 --> 00:26:40,655
You can die without anybody
knowing that you've died
402
00:26:40,680 --> 00:26:42,935
and without your relatives
being aware.
403
00:26:42,960 --> 00:26:46,135
It's just the way we live now.
404
00:26:50,600 --> 00:26:53,495
So, straight off from the scans,
as they're going through,
405
00:26:53,520 --> 00:26:56,335
we can see he is in quite a state
of decomposition.
406
00:26:58,000 --> 00:27:00,775
So, I believe he hadn't been
seen for two to three weeks,
407
00:27:00,800 --> 00:27:03,255
so it's gonna have at least
been that long.
408
00:27:03,280 --> 00:27:05,975
Obviously, we have had
some quite warm weather as well,
409
00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:09,455
which can sometimes
cause decomposition to speed up.
410
00:27:11,840 --> 00:27:15,455
There are occasions where
you have people
411
00:27:15,480 --> 00:27:18,415
who have decomposed
to such an extent
412
00:27:18,440 --> 00:27:21,495
that their organs may be missing.
413
00:27:21,520 --> 00:27:24,775
Which makes coming up with a cause
of death extremely difficult.
414
00:27:24,800 --> 00:27:30,095
If you are then instructing for
a postmortem by using a CT scan,
415
00:27:30,120 --> 00:27:32,655
what you are looking for there is,
416
00:27:32,680 --> 00:27:37,055
is there any obvious cause of death
that may be on there?
417
00:27:37,080 --> 00:27:40,175
They may have had a haemorrhage and
there may be a collection of blood.
418
00:27:40,200 --> 00:27:42,655
But even that may have disappeared.
419
00:27:42,680 --> 00:27:46,975
What you're also looking for
is an absence of signs of trauma,
420
00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:48,415
that there's no broken bones,
421
00:27:48,440 --> 00:27:50,215
there's nothing
that you wouldn't expect.
422
00:27:50,240 --> 00:27:53,175
But quite often,
you end up with a situation
423
00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:56,015
whereby the radiologist
will simply say,
424
00:27:56,040 --> 00:27:58,135
"There is nothing on the CT scan."
425
00:27:58,160 --> 00:28:01,175
So you then come down
to a natural cause of death
426
00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:02,735
that is unascertained.
427
00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:15,055
Consultant radiologistjim Simpson
428
00:28:15,080 --> 00:28:18,575
is reviewing the man's
postmortem CT scan.
429
00:28:20,000 --> 00:28:23,615
We don't have
a proper medical history.
430
00:28:23,640 --> 00:28:25,935
Neighbour mentions
that he may have suffered
431
00:28:25,960 --> 00:28:27,895
with a heart condition -
432
00:28:27,920 --> 00:28:29,535
that's helpful to a degree,
433
00:28:29,560 --> 00:28:31,455
but it's not, you know,
a heart condition
434
00:28:31,480 --> 00:28:34,975
is a very general term,
it doesn't give us specifics there.
435
00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:36,695
First of all,
we look through the head -
436
00:28:36,720 --> 00:28:38,375
obvious from the start here
437
00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:40,775
that there's a significant amount
of decomposition.
438
00:28:40,800 --> 00:28:45,175
We're seeing a large black area
at the front of the skull vault,
439
00:28:45,200 --> 00:28:48,855
and this is effectively air
or gas that shouldn't be there.
440
00:28:48,880 --> 00:28:51,895
And we can see gas bubbles
within the brain tissue -
441
00:28:51,920 --> 00:28:55,455
clearly, it's partially liquified
and decomposing.
442
00:28:55,480 --> 00:28:58,175
We can look at bone detail,
443
00:28:58,200 --> 00:29:00,535
so the skull vault
looks to be intact,
444
00:29:00,560 --> 00:29:02,535
there's no evidence
of skull fractures.
445
00:29:02,560 --> 00:29:05,095
Looking through the chest here
and the lung sac here,
446
00:29:05,120 --> 00:29:08,495
they're completely collapsed
and decomposed.
447
00:29:08,520 --> 00:29:10,535
Then we look at the heart.
448
00:29:10,560 --> 00:29:12,615
The heart is not enlarged,
449
00:29:12,640 --> 00:29:16,575
I think we can safely say this heart
is within normal size limits.
450
00:29:16,600 --> 00:29:20,455
We have to accept the diagnostic
quality's less than perfect
451
00:29:20,480 --> 00:29:22,295
because of the decomposition.
452
00:29:22,320 --> 00:29:24,695
Now, it may be that
the coroner's team feel
453
00:29:24,720 --> 00:29:27,055
that they need further information,
454
00:29:27,080 --> 00:29:29,455
and they may consider
an invasive postmortem.
455
00:29:31,840 --> 00:29:34,175
The CT scan report
has come back to us.
456
00:29:34,200 --> 00:29:36,775
Unfortunately,
the radiologist has commented
457
00:29:36,800 --> 00:29:39,655
to say that due to the advanced
stage of decomposition,
458
00:29:39,680 --> 00:29:42,015
they are unable
to provide a cause of death.
459
00:29:42,040 --> 00:29:46,655
So, the coroner has authorised
for an invasive postmortem,
460
00:29:46,680 --> 00:29:49,895
which will be carried out
by Dr Sis-sons, the pathologist,
461
00:29:49,920 --> 00:29:52,575
who will hopefully
be able to clarify further.
462
00:30:05,160 --> 00:30:07,695
Dr Mark Sissons
is also the pathologist
463
00:30:07,720 --> 00:30:10,695
in the case
of 39-year-old Sarah Kelly,
464
00:30:10,720 --> 00:30:14,455
and he is continuing
her invasive postmortem.
465
00:30:14,480 --> 00:30:19,935
The liver is a very
pale-yellow colour,
466
00:30:19,960 --> 00:30:22,655
and this indicates a build-up of fat
467
00:30:22,680 --> 00:30:25,735
caused by excess alcohol intake.
468
00:30:25,760 --> 00:30:27,535
There's other causes for it as well.
469
00:30:28,680 --> 00:30:31,015
So, fatty liver and alcohol
470
00:30:31,040 --> 00:30:34,935
is an indication of possible
sudden cardiac death,
471
00:30:34,960 --> 00:30:37,255
related to alcohol abuse.
472
00:30:40,200 --> 00:30:44,575
I would not have said she was
an addictive natured person at all.
473
00:30:44,600 --> 00:30:46,935
Maybe I just didn't see it,
maybe I'm just Mum
474
00:30:46,960 --> 00:30:49,535
and I don't see it
and I just look for the best.
475
00:30:49,560 --> 00:30:51,895
It was a bank holiday weekend -
476
00:30:51,920 --> 00:30:54,175
she'd had a weekend of drinking
and carrying on.
477
00:30:54,200 --> 00:30:55,615
Ancl then there was an incident,
478
00:30:55,640 --> 00:30:58,975
so she was brought back here
by the police, very drunk.
479
00:30:59,000 --> 00:31:00,535
Ancl at that point, I just thought,
480
00:31:00,560 --> 00:31:02,535
"I've had enough, really,
she needs to leave."
481
00:31:02,560 --> 00:31:05,575
So, I just said to her, "You've
got till seven o'clock tonight
482
00:31:05,600 --> 00:31:09,895
"and I just want you to take
what you need and just go, please."
483
00:31:09,920 --> 00:31:13,095
So that we can start afresh.
484
00:31:13,120 --> 00:31:15,375
Ancl I just asked her
to leave her son here,
485
00:31:15,400 --> 00:31:16,375
just for his safety,
486
00:31:16,400 --> 00:31:18,215
because I didn't know
where she was going.
487
00:31:20,600 --> 00:31:23,735
It's not easy
telling your child to go
488
00:31:23,760 --> 00:31:26,055
because that's in the best interest
for both parties
489
00:31:26,080 --> 00:31:27,935
at that point in time.
490
00:31:29,840 --> 00:31:32,655
I saw Sarah
a week before she passed.
491
00:31:32,680 --> 00:31:35,575
I'd met her with her son,
so we'd gone for contact,
492
00:31:35,600 --> 00:31:37,935
and she was so much better that clay
493
00:31:37,960 --> 00:31:41,135
than she'd been in the previous
weeks that we'd seen her,
494
00:31:41,160 --> 00:31:44,255
so it wasn't like
everything stopped,
495
00:31:44,280 --> 00:31:46,455
there was still
a relationship there.
496
00:31:51,360 --> 00:31:57,015
Her lungs are distended
and full of fluid.
497
00:31:57,040 --> 00:31:59,295
I think I'm fairly confident
at this stage
498
00:31:59,320 --> 00:32:01,655
that this lady has drowned.
499
00:32:01,680 --> 00:32:04,055
What I'm not sure about
at the moment
500
00:32:04,080 --> 00:32:06,415
is why this has happened.
501
00:32:06,440 --> 00:32:10,055
We need to get the toxicology back
to see what's going on there,
502
00:32:10,080 --> 00:32:13,695
and we need to look
at the histology of the heart,
503
00:32:13,720 --> 00:32:16,655
ie, look at the heart
down a microscope.
504
00:32:16,680 --> 00:32:19,015
We just need
to get all the results back
505
00:32:19,040 --> 00:32:22,615
and then piece together
an explanation of what's happened.
506
00:32:33,840 --> 00:32:36,935
With all examinations on Sarah
completed,
507
00:32:36,960 --> 00:32:40,575
she can be released back
to her family for her funeral.
508
00:32:44,120 --> 00:32:47,975
In some ways, I thought I'd already
grieved the girl that I'd lost,
509
00:32:48,000 --> 00:32:50,895
from the happy, healthy Sarah
that everybody knew
510
00:32:50,920 --> 00:32:54,815
to the girl that she became when she
had to leave and go into a hostel.
511
00:32:54,840 --> 00:32:57,775
But this, this is a different level,
it's just...
512
00:32:59,080 --> 00:33:01,855
I walk into town and think,
"Oh, she'll be in such a place,"
513
00:33:01,880 --> 00:33:03,695
or, "I'll see her in such a place."
514
00:33:03,720 --> 00:33:06,535
Ancl then you see people
who vaguely, vaguely look like her
515
00:33:06,560 --> 00:33:09,535
and I'll think,
"Oh, she's there!" But she's not.
516
00:33:09,560 --> 00:33:10,975
She's not there.
517
00:33:17,160 --> 00:33:21,455
It's important that we, for her,
that we find out her real story,
518
00:33:21,480 --> 00:33:22,695
what really happened to her.
519
00:33:30,160 --> 00:33:33,375
The coroner's office
must update Sarah's family
520
00:33:33,400 --> 00:33:37,735
on the results from the invasive
postmortem and toxicology.
521
00:33:37,760 --> 00:33:39,375
LINE RINGING
522
00:33:40,880 --> 00:33:41,975
'Hello?'
523
00:33:42,000 --> 00:33:44,335
Hi, Christine, it's Chloe
from the coroner's office.
524
00:33:44,360 --> 00:33:46,135
'So, I've got a bit of an update
for you...'
525
00:33:46,160 --> 00:33:49,535
OK.
'..In relation to Sarah's heart.'
526
00:33:49,560 --> 00:33:53,135
There wasn't any evidence
of any significant disease
527
00:33:53,160 --> 00:33:55,135
or anything of that kind.
528
00:33:55,160 --> 00:33:56,455
'Right, that's good.'
529
00:33:56,480 --> 00:33:58,815
In terms of what they have found,
530
00:33:58,840 --> 00:34:02,535
so, primarily,
that is coming from the toxicology,
531
00:34:02,560 --> 00:34:06,615
mainly what they've found
is quite a high level of ethanol,
532
00:34:06,640 --> 00:34:09,255
so that's alcohol.
Yeah.
533
00:34:09,280 --> 00:34:13,135
'The legal driving limit
with alcohol in the blood
534
00:34:13,160 --> 00:34:15,695
'is 80mg per decilitre.'
535
00:34:15,720 --> 00:34:19,935
The alcohol level found
in Sarah's blood was roughly 360.
536
00:34:24,320 --> 00:34:25,895
Yeah.
537
00:34:25,920 --> 00:34:27,895
It's a shock, isn't it?
538
00:34:27,920 --> 00:34:29,735
SHE SOBS
Yeah.
539
00:34:29,760 --> 00:34:30,935
'Yeah.'
540
00:34:32,200 --> 00:34:36,415
Given the results, the coroner
has authorised an inquest.
541
00:34:49,240 --> 00:34:53,455
LESLEY SHARP: It's the day of
39-year-old Sarah's Kelly's inquest.
542
00:34:55,200 --> 00:34:59,935
With this, I don't want the inquest
to simply portray this lady
543
00:34:59,960 --> 00:35:03,695
as somebody who died
of alcohol issues. Yeah.
544
00:35:03,720 --> 00:35:05,535
She had a life outside this,
545
00:35:05,560 --> 00:35:08,975
and what's happened to her
could happen to any of us.
546
00:35:10,240 --> 00:35:12,815
Nervous, anxious.
547
00:35:12,840 --> 00:35:14,295
SHE SIGHS
548
00:35:14,320 --> 00:35:16,495
A bit worried
about what I might hear.
549
00:35:18,920 --> 00:35:22,295
I never thought I'd ever
find myself in a coroner's court.
550
00:35:25,800 --> 00:35:26,935
Morning.
Morning.
551
00:35:26,960 --> 00:35:29,775
My name's Chloe,
I'm the coroner's officer.
552
00:35:29,800 --> 00:35:32,615
So, we have three witnesses
with us today.
553
00:35:32,640 --> 00:35:36,135
We've got the detective inspector
from Lancashire Police,
554
00:35:36,160 --> 00:35:38,735
the security guard,
who's statement you've seen,
555
00:35:38,760 --> 00:35:41,255
and we've also got the pathologist.
Yeah.
556
00:35:44,200 --> 00:35:47,375
The alcohol is 360mg.
557
00:35:47,400 --> 00:35:50,815
Now, it is very high for you or me,
but in the hardened drinkers,
558
00:35:50,840 --> 00:35:54,015
some people can function
at that level.
559
00:35:54,040 --> 00:35:58,855
The reflex when you inhale water
into your airways is very powerful.
560
00:35:58,880 --> 00:36:01,935
It then becomes a question,
why does she slide under the water
561
00:36:01,960 --> 00:36:03,455
and not come back up again?
562
00:36:03,480 --> 00:36:06,535
Which, I must admit, troubled me
from the beginning of this case.
563
00:36:06,560 --> 00:36:08,335
Absolutely, absolutely.
564
00:36:17,400 --> 00:36:18,735
All rise.
565
00:36:28,400 --> 00:36:31,015
To Sarah Kelly's family and friends,
566
00:36:31,040 --> 00:36:34,375
I'm very sorry that you're attending
court under these circumstances.
567
00:36:37,080 --> 00:36:39,415
The main findings were in the lungs,
568
00:36:39,440 --> 00:36:42,095
where there was a large amount
of fluid present.
569
00:36:42,120 --> 00:36:45,535
Toxicology taken
showed a high blood alcohol level,
570
00:36:45,560 --> 00:36:48,335
four and a half times
over the legal driving maximum.
571
00:36:49,640 --> 00:36:53,175
I believe she's become drowsy,
fallen asleep
572
00:36:53,200 --> 00:36:55,015
and become deeply unconscious
573
00:36:55,040 --> 00:36:57,975
so that when she's actually
submerged in the water,
574
00:36:58,000 --> 00:37:00,335
she can't respond and has drowned.
575
00:37:02,320 --> 00:37:05,015
I find it really difficult
or struggle to understand
576
00:37:05,040 --> 00:37:08,375
how she didn't attempt to cough
and wake herself.
577
00:37:08,400 --> 00:37:11,615
It might be that her blood alcohol
was still going up
578
00:37:11,640 --> 00:37:13,655
when she was witnessed
walking around
579
00:37:13,680 --> 00:37:16,015
ten minutes before
entering the bathroom.
580
00:37:16,040 --> 00:37:19,375
And it could have continued
to rise whilst bathing
581
00:37:19,400 --> 00:37:21,735
to a level much higher
than was present
582
00:37:21,760 --> 00:37:24,695
when she was able to function
earlier.
583
00:37:24,720 --> 00:37:28,535
We can't prove this as we haven't
got a urine alcohol measurement,
584
00:37:28,560 --> 00:37:30,535
which would have given
an indication
585
00:37:30,560 --> 00:37:32,495
as to whether the blood alcohol
was going up
586
00:37:32,520 --> 00:37:34,775
or coming down prior to death.
587
00:37:34,800 --> 00:37:36,975
That's my only possible suggestion.
588
00:37:38,960 --> 00:37:42,895
I propose to accept Dr Sissons'
medical cause of death,
589
00:37:42,920 --> 00:37:47,295
which is that of drowning
and alcohol intoxication.
590
00:37:47,320 --> 00:37:51,055
I hope it's of some consolation
that Sarah's period of suffering,
591
00:37:51,080 --> 00:37:53,975
if she had any,
would have been extremely short.
592
00:38:07,040 --> 00:38:12,375
Sarah Kelly is somebody whose life
has fallen apart very quickly.
593
00:38:12,400 --> 00:38:15,215
In two and a half years,
she's gone from having a house
594
00:38:15,240 --> 00:38:17,775
and having a job
to living in a hostel.
595
00:38:17,800 --> 00:38:22,095
This shows you just how fast
addiction to various substances
596
00:38:22,120 --> 00:38:23,815
can destroy your life.
597
00:38:23,840 --> 00:38:27,495
Ancl it's there but for the grace of
whoever you believe in,
598
00:38:27,520 --> 00:38:28,975
we all can go.
599
00:38:33,440 --> 00:38:36,095
There's part of me thinking,
well, at least we know.
600
00:38:36,120 --> 00:38:38,975
I think it's helped knowing
that they've been very thorough,
601
00:38:39,000 --> 00:38:41,655
they have been really thorough,
and that's a blessing,
602
00:38:41,680 --> 00:38:44,335
to know that there'd been
no stone left unturned.
603
00:38:44,360 --> 00:38:45,855
Ancl I do appreciate that.
604
00:38:47,760 --> 00:38:50,175
just to remember her,
that bubbly girl
605
00:38:50,200 --> 00:38:52,695
that would get up and sing
606
00:38:52,720 --> 00:38:55,295
and yeah, just let it go now,
let her be at peace.
607
00:39:12,560 --> 00:39:17,375
In the case of the decomposed man,
no cause of death has been found.
608
00:39:17,400 --> 00:39:20,695
The coroner has ordered
an invasive postmortem.
609
00:39:20,720 --> 00:39:25,095
Meanwhile,
efforts to find any family continue.
610
00:39:25,120 --> 00:39:27,535
We do deal with a lot of cases
like this,
611
00:39:27,560 --> 00:39:30,975
where we have individuals
that live alone,
612
00:39:31,000 --> 00:39:34,575
maybe don't have much contact
with family or neighbours
613
00:39:34,600 --> 00:39:35,855
or other people,
614
00:39:35,880 --> 00:39:38,415
and do appear to have been there
for a little while.
615
00:39:39,800 --> 00:39:41,775
It's quite upsetting because,
you know,
616
00:39:41,800 --> 00:39:43,415
there's potentially
somebody out there
617
00:39:43,440 --> 00:39:45,695
that's wanting to know
what's happened to their loved one,
618
00:39:45,720 --> 00:39:47,055
to their relative.
619
00:39:50,240 --> 00:39:54,815
The body is in a very severely
advanced stage of decomposition.
620
00:39:54,840 --> 00:39:58,695
Extensive soft tissue loss here,
full stop.
621
00:40:01,120 --> 00:40:05,015
The organs are surprisingly
quite well preserved.
622
00:40:08,040 --> 00:40:10,695
When we have a decomposed body,
623
00:40:10,720 --> 00:40:13,415
we'll try our best
to find a cause of death,
624
00:40:13,440 --> 00:40:17,255
and the thing
we can normally do quite well
625
00:40:17,280 --> 00:40:18,775
is we can examine the heart.
626
00:40:18,800 --> 00:40:20,375
The coronary arteries,
627
00:40:20,400 --> 00:40:22,215
they're normally
quite well preserved
628
00:40:22,240 --> 00:40:23,815
compared with other tissues.
629
00:40:31,120 --> 00:40:33,815
There's a lot scarring,
I can feel it when I cut into it...
630
00:40:33,840 --> 00:40:35,735
It looks scarred, doesn't it? Yeah.
631
00:40:35,760 --> 00:40:40,255
He has got a scarred heart,
632
00:40:40,280 --> 00:40:43,815
almost completely blocked
main coronary artery.
633
00:40:46,000 --> 00:40:50,415
Which is fully consistent
with a sudden cardiac death.
634
00:40:50,440 --> 00:40:55,335
I haven't found any other pathology
to explain his death.
635
00:40:58,080 --> 00:41:03,135
This gentleman has no evidence
of having had a heart attack,
636
00:41:03,160 --> 00:41:06,015
but he does have scarring,
637
00:41:06,040 --> 00:41:09,375
scar tissue
within the wall of his heart,
638
00:41:09,400 --> 00:41:13,815
indicating that he's been suffering
from coronary artery disease,
639
00:41:13,840 --> 00:41:16,015
an imparted blood supply
to the heart.
640
00:41:18,120 --> 00:41:20,615
This is a natural cause of death,
641
00:41:20,640 --> 00:41:23,615
which means there's no inquest,
we close our investigation.
642
00:41:23,640 --> 00:41:27,295
Ancl as we have found
a distant relative,
643
00:41:27,320 --> 00:41:29,775
the body can now be released
for funeral.
644
00:41:40,000 --> 00:41:43,215
The man's relatives
are happy for his story to be told,
645
00:41:43,240 --> 00:41:45,895
but wish for him
to remain anonymous.
646
00:41:47,720 --> 00:41:52,735
Any sudden, unexpected death
is extremely sad.
647
00:41:52,760 --> 00:41:56,015
In cases where
he's passed away at home,
648
00:41:56,040 --> 00:41:57,535
there was nobody with him
649
00:41:57,560 --> 00:42:00,695
and there isn't really
any family to keep up to date.
650
00:42:03,000 --> 00:42:04,655
And it's extremely sad,
651
00:42:04,680 --> 00:42:07,455
but we still
do the same investigations
652
00:42:07,480 --> 00:42:08,695
we would with anybody else
653
00:42:08,720 --> 00:42:11,175
to try and understand
what has caused their death.
654
00:42:13,560 --> 00:42:16,775
Without the coroner's office
finding these causes of death,
655
00:42:16,800 --> 00:42:19,135
people would be left with questions,
656
00:42:19,160 --> 00:42:22,975
people would be left not being able
to go ahead with funerals.
657
00:42:23,000 --> 00:42:25,575
It's exceptionally vital.
658
00:42:49,120 --> 00:42:52,295
All she'd wanted was children,
being a mum.
659
00:43:02,000 --> 00:43:05,335
Christine is helping
to bring up Sarah's son.
660
00:43:07,760 --> 00:43:10,655
Without him, I think
I might have struggled to adapt
661
00:43:10,680 --> 00:43:12,335
and get through a bit more.
662
00:43:12,360 --> 00:43:14,695
He's got her laugh,
he's got her smile,
663
00:43:14,720 --> 00:43:18,175
and it's nice that we've got that,
we've got that to hold onto.
664
00:43:19,720 --> 00:43:23,095
Ancl he's such a lovely little boy,
she's left a gift, really, with us.
665
00:43:23,120 --> 00:43:26,015
Ancl when he's older, yeah, he'll be
able to see exactly what happened,
666
00:43:26,040 --> 00:43:28,375
but we'll be able to show him
all the things
667
00:43:28,400 --> 00:43:30,375
in the memory boxes
that we've put together for him,
668
00:43:30,400 --> 00:43:33,215
all things and show him
what his mum was like,
669
00:43:33,240 --> 00:43:36,535
that she was a happy, healthy girl,
and she just loved life.
670
00:43:36,560 --> 00:43:39,855
Ancl that's how we want him
to remember her, really,
671
00:43:39,880 --> 00:43:40,895
and to see her.
672
00:43:40,920 --> 00:43:42,255
Oh, going to get you!
673
00:43:42,280 --> 00:43:44,695
Going to get you!
They're going to get you!
674
00:43:44,720 --> 00:43:47,255
'Yeah, so, it's a few steps forward,
a few steps back,
675
00:43:47,280 --> 00:43:50,175
'but we will get there,
we will get there.'
676
00:43:50,200 --> 00:43:52,455
We've got a little man to focus on,
we'll get there.
677
00:43:52,480 --> 00:43:53,695
Ancl we'll remember her well.
678
00:44:21,600 --> 00:44:23,255
Quite peculiar looking injuries.
679
00:44:23,280 --> 00:44:25,215
There was no phone,
there was no wallet on him
680
00:44:25,240 --> 00:44:27,415
to give us any indication who he is.
681
00:44:31,200 --> 00:44:33,095
You're walking into court,
682
00:44:33,120 --> 00:44:36,255
but no idea of which way
the case is going to develop.
683
00:44:36,280 --> 00:44:40,015
We don't know whether she's done
an intentional overdose or not.